in the days of Herod the king, behold,
wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying,
"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?
For we have seen his star in the East,
and have come to worship him."
When Herod the king heard this,
he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
and assembling all the chief priests
and scribes of the people,
he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea;
for so it is written by the prophet:
'And you, 0 Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will govern my people Israel.'"
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly
and ascertained from them
what time the star appeared;
and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying,
"Go and search diligently for the child,
and when you have found him bring me word,
that I too may come and worship him."
When they had heard the king they went their way;
and lo, the star which they had seen in the East
went before them,
till it came to rest over the place
where the child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced
exceedingly with great joy;
and going into the house they saw
the child with Mary his mother,
and they fell down and worshiped him.
Then, opening their treasures,
they offered him gifts,
gold and frankincense and myrrh.
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